Results for "Ann Arbor"

Fling II: Modular Synths, Pedal Steel, And Michigan Motorik

by Lawrence Peryer
September 12, 2026

This week we're putting The Tonearm's needle on Ann Arbor kosmische band Fling ii. I sat down with drummer and synthesist Brad Gowland, and guitarist Richard Murphy, to chat about their third album, 3, which is out now on We Are Busy Bodies. Its six tracks were cut down from hours of studio jamming. ...

Darrin James

Darrin James is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, composer and producer known for his distinctive gravelly voice, thoughtful lyrics, soulful guitar playing and funky, eclectic musicianship.  In Ann Arbor, MI he owns a recording studio and independent label, Ravine Records, and his wide-ranging productions include rustic Americana, gritty rock n'roll, greasy funk, jazz fusion, free improvisation, artful electronica, and increasingly more influences from around the globe.

As Darrin James Band, he has released four critically praised albums of his original songs: Thrones of Gold (2006),  The Lovely Ugly Truth(2009) Strange Storm (2016) and See Right Through (2024).  James' songs  have  found their way into TV  and film such as the Emmy nominated  season of Deadliest Catch and the 2019 film, Peel, starring Emile Hirsch.  James provided the soundtrack to the documentary film, Meet Me at the Lindell, The Story of America's First Sports Bar, which premiered at Detroit's Freep Film Festival in 2017 and aired on PBS.    

Disaster Relief

Active since: 2018

Disaster Relief is a joyful jazz-funk ensemble designed to remedy the negative vibes in the world today. Led by Ann Arbor, Michigan based guitarist/composer/producer Darrin James, the ensemble boasts a big horn section and showcases many rising stars of the Michigan and Detroit music scenes.  They have a reputation for exciting live performances that balance tightly composed arrangements with open, free improvisation, always with a deep danceable groove and loads of soul. 

Erik Hall: Multitracking The Minimalist Aesthetic

by Lawrence Peryer
March 7, 2026

Today, The Tonearm's needle lands on musician and composer Erik Hall.Based in Michigan, Erik Hall has spent the last five years doing something that sounds simple but definitely is not: recording landmark works of contemporary classical music entirely on his own.Erik's 2020 solo reconstruction of Steve Reich's “Music for 18 Musicians" won ...

Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane: Miles Davis & John Coltrane Centennial at UMS

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 27, 2026

Terence Blanchard & Ravi Coltrane Hill Auditorium Miles Davis & John Coltrane Centennial Ann Arbor, Michigan February 15, 2026 How fitting that jazz titans Miles Davis and John Coltrane were both born in 1926. As the centennial of their births is celebrated across the country, tributes have taken many forms. ...

Christopher Balk

Kurt Elling and Peter Erskine at the Michigan Theater

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 23, 2025

Kurt Elling Celebrates Weather Report featuring Peter Erskine Michigan Theater 49th Performance of the 146th UMS Season Ann Arbor, Michigan April 11, 2025 With two Grammy Awards to his name and a long list of press accolades--including holding the top spot in the DownBeat Critics and Readers Polls for over ...

Peter Erskine: Revisiting Weather Report

by C. Andrew Hovan
March 20, 2025

A standout drum prodigy of his generation, Peter Erskine began playing at the age of four. After honing his skills at Interlochen, he launched his professional career in 1972 with Stan Kenton. Four years later, he joined Maynard Ferguson before making a pivotal move, replacing Alex Acuña in Weather Report. In the spring ...

Weather Bird: Sullivan Fortner and Ambrose Akinmusire at Rackham Auditorium

by C. Andrew Hovan
March 31, 2024

Weather Bird: Sullivan Fortner and Ambrose Akinmusire Rackham Auditorium 27th Performance of the UMS 145th Annual Season Ann Arbor, MI March 22, 2024 When it comes to its annual concert series, Ann Arbor's University Musical Society utilizes Hill Auditorium and the Michigan Theater as the venues for the majority of ...

Aris Chalin

Born: May 17, 2001

Aris Chalin is an award-winning jazz pianist and keyboardist at Western Michigan University. He has performed with the renowned vocal jazz ensemble "Gold Company" at WMU since 2021. He has performed and played alongside world-class jazz musicians, such as in masterclasses and guest artist vists from Chris Potter, Dave Holland, säje, Christian McBride, Johnaye Kendrick, Jesus Molina, and the Emmet Cohen Trio. Aris is based in Kalamazoo MI, and travels around Michigan to perform in different venues around the area. He has performed at venues such as the NAMM 2023 show, Hill Auditorium, Blue LLama Jazz Club, Cliff Bells, and the North American International Auto Show COBO Center in Detroit.